Olympus D-490 ZoomOlympus updates a popular 1.3 megapixel model to 2 megapixels, with improved features.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 10/28/2000 |
Operation & User Interface
We found the
user interface on the D-490 simple to understand and easy to navigate, with most
of the controls located on the back panel of the camera or within a very
straightforward LCD menu system. The camera is quickly activated by sliding open
the lens cover, which puts it into Record mode, and just as quickly deactivated
by closing it. The Playback mode is accessed by closing the lens cover and
depressing the Display button after the camera has shut off, or by pressing it
twice in rapid succession when the camera is in Record mode. The LCD menus are
navigated with the four-way Arrow Pad next to the monitor. You scroll to the
appropriate function with the "Up" and "Down" arrow buttons, access that
function�s menu with the "Right" arrow button, and scroll through the menu
options with the "Up" and "Down" buttons. Press the "OK" button to set a
selection. Separate function buttons are available for Flash/Erase,
Self-timer/Print, Macro/Digital Telephoto, LCD monitor On/Off, Menu On/Off, and
the OK set. The SmartMedia slot is under a hinged plastic door on the right side
of the camera, and the digital, video, and AC jacks are clustered underneath
another plastic door on the left side.
Shutter Button
Located on the top right of the
camera, this button sets focus and exposure when halfway depressed and completes
the exposure when fully depressed.
Zoom Lever
Located directly to the right of
the shutter button, this lever rocks back and forth to control the optical zoom
from wide angle to telephoto when in Record mode.
In Playback mode,
pressing the Zoom lever toward "W," or wide angle, activates the index display,
showing previously captured images in groups of 4, 9, or 16 "thumbnails."
Pressing the lever toward the "T," or telephoto, enables the playback zoom
feature. (Captured images can be enlarged up to 3X on the LCD
screen.)
Diopter
Adjustment Dial
Located to the left of the viewfinder, this sprocketed
dial can be adjusted to visually correct the viewfinder image for eyeglass
wearers.
Flash
Button (Delete Button)
Located to the right of the optical viewfinder,
this button is the first in a row of three rectangular control buttons. In
Record mode, the Flash button allows you to select from the following flash
settings (Off mode is accessed by simply closing the flash):
- Auto Flash: The camera automatically fires the flash in low-light
and backlit conditions.
- Redeye Reduction: Reduces the Redeye effect by emitting a preflash
before the full flash.
- Fill-In Flash: Sets the flash to always fire, regardless of light
conditions.
- Slow Sync: Fires with slow shutter speeds for night scenes and
backlit subjects.
- Redeye Reduction and Slow Sync: Same as Slow Sync, but with added preflash for Redeye Reduction.
In Playback mode (when the lens cover is closed), this button deletes the image currently displayed on the screen, with an option to cancel.
Self-Timer
Button (DPOF Button)
Located to the right of the Flash button, this
button activates the camera's Self-Timer in Record mode, counting down 12
seconds before firing the shutter. A red LED glows steadily on the front of the
camera to indicate that it's counting down the time, then blinks for the last
few seconds before the shutter is tripped. (If you have the beep sounds enabled
via the Record menu, the camera also beeps as a warning just prior to the
exposure.)
In Playback mode, this button serves as the Digital Print
Order Format (DPOF) button, which enables you to designate DPOF printing options
for the image displayed. You can specify the number of prints you want made from
each image on the memory card, so a DPOF-compliant printer (with a compatible
memory card slot) can output your print order automatically.
Macro/Digital Telephoto
Button (Write Protect Button)
Located to the right of the Self-Timer
button, this button activates the Macro and 2.5X Digital Telephoto modes when
used in Record mode. One press of the button activates Macro, two presses
activates the Digital Telephoto, and pressing the button a third time puts the
camera back into regular Record mode.
In Playback mode, this button can
be used to "Write Protect" individual images from accidental erasure. The Write
Protect feature can be engaged on a single image display or on an index display
with the image highlighted. Once protected, the images will display a small key
in the upper right corner and cannot be erased unless the card is reformatted
with the Card Reformat function (or the Write-Protect is
disengaged).
Monitor Display Button
Located below the Macro mode
button, the Monitor Display button turns the LCD monitor on and off while in
Record mode. If you quickly press the button twice from the off condition, it
goes directly into Quick Display mode, which displays the last stored image on
the memory card. From there, you can scroll through previous captures with the
Left and Right arrow buttons.
When the LCD button is depressed In
Playback mode, the camera displays the last picture taken. From there, you can
access the Playback menu and scroll through captured images via the arrow
buttons.
Menu
Button
In Record mode, this button accesses the Shooting Menu.
In
Playback mode, the Menu button accesses the Playback Menu.
Up Arrow Button (Infinity Quick Focus
Button)
The Up arrow is on the top of the Arrow Pad on the back panel. In
Capture mode, the Up arrow button allows you to change settings within menus. If
depressed before pressing the shutter button halfway, it serves as the Infinity
Quick Focus button, useful when quick shooting is required.
In Playback
mode, this button also navigates through the Playback menu and through images
enlarged with the Zoom lever.
Down Arrow Button (2.5/8ft Quick Focus Button)
The Down
arrow is on the bottom of the Arrow Pad on the back panel. In Capture mode, the
Down arrow button allows you to change menu settings within menus. If depressed
before pressing the shutter button halfway, it serves as the 2.5/8ft Quick Focus
button, useful when quick shooting is required.
In Playback mode, this
button also navigates through the Playback menu and through images enlarged with
the Zoom lever.
Right and Left Arrow Buttons
In both Record and Playback
modes, these buttons navigate through menu options. In Record mode, when the
digital telephoto is enabled, these buttons zoom in and out of 2.5X digital
enlargement.
In Playback mode, these buttons scroll through captured
images in single display and index display format. All four arrow buttons allow
you to scroll around within an enlarged image when using playback
zoom.
OK
Button
In any mode, the OK button confirms menu selections and
changes.
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